Bettie English Private Investigator Mysteries Volume 3: 6 Bettie Private Investigator Mystery Novellas: The Bettie English Private Eye Mysteries, #6.7

By Connor Whiteley

6 addictive Private Eye Mysteries you don't want to miss!

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A Very Private Women

An Invitation Like No Other. Sister Rivalry. A Very Private Woman.

Nothing is as it seems.

Private Eye Bettie English receives a visitor. She hears a top-secret job offer. Bettie knows something is afoot.

Bettie needs to find the truth.

The Russian Case

A Strange Invitation. A World In Danger. A Russian Case.

Bettie solves cases.

When Private Eye Bettie English receives a strange invitation. She takes the offer. Bettie investigates her most dangerous case yet.

Can Bettie save the western world?

If you enjoy suspenseful gripping private eye mysteries keeping you reading late into the night, you will love this book!

A Very Urgent Matter

A Stream of Emails. High-Tech Theft. A Very Urgent Matter.

Conspiracies and crimes happen.

Private Eye Bettie English receives tons of email. Someone wants her. Bettie opens the emails.

Bettie finds herself in a deadly game.

A Case Most Personal

An Attack Close To Home. Police Corruption. A Case Most Personal.

Bettie helps innocent people.

Private Eye Bettie English sees her nephew stabbed. She rushes to help. Bettie investigates.

Scots, Trains and Private Eyes

Amazing Scots. A Secret Train. Reader's Favourite Private Eye.

Private Eyes always work.

Private Eye Bettie English holidays in Scotland. She meets MI5 Agent Carter. She accepts a dangerous job.

A nation's future depends on Bettie.

The Federation Protects

A Private Eye Convention. A Power Vacuum. A Poisoner On The Loose.

Powerful people stepping down leads to danger.

Private Eye Bettie English organises Private Eye Con. She hears her friends are stepping down. Bettie fears the fallout.

More than she realises depends on Bettie.

If you enjoy gripping, unputdownable private eye mysteries. You will love this one!

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• Language: English
• Publisher: CGD Publishing
• Release date: Aug 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798201109974

Connor Whiteley

Hello, I'm Connor Whiteley, I am an 18-year-old who loves to write creatively, and I wrote my Brownsea trilogy when I was 14 years old after I went to Brownsea Island on a scout camp. At the camp, I started to think about how all the broken tiles and pottery got there and somehow a trilogy got created.Moreover, I love writing fantasy and sci-fi novels because you’re only limited by your imagination.In addition, I'm was an Explorer Scout and I love camping, sailing and other outdoor activities as well as cooking.Furthermore, I do quite a bit of charity work as well. For example: in early 2018 I was a part of a youth panel which was involved in creating a report with research to try and get government funding for organised youth groups and through this panel. I was invited to Prince Charles’ 70th birthday party and how some of us got in the royal photograph.Finally, I am going to university and I hope to get my doctorate in clinical psychology in a few years.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

1st April 2022

Canterbury, England

Why don’t you get a real job sis?

Private Eye Bettie English was really starting to learn very quickly that people loved to put pregnant women down. She didn’t understand why just because she was pregnant her own sister felt the need to force her (not that she would ever admit it) to give up what she loved, and was extremely good at.

As Bettie sat at her wonderfully warm wooden desk with her laptop open and a large mug of water (that she was pretending was amazingly strong coffee), all she could do was just sit there and nod along to whatever her sister Phryne was saying.

To completely stop her sister from accusing Bettie of not paying attention, Bettie stared into her little green eyes, and Bettie had to admit that Phryne didn’t look her best today.

Normally she wore the so-called latest fashion trends. Including a rather amazing range of haircuts, skirts and even new types of jeans over the decades. But today she looked completely different.

Bettie had no idea how to describe it, but when she told her boyfriend about it all later. She would probably go with calling it the common street people look. Not that Bettie actually looked much better in her oversized black t-shirt, jeans and trainers.

She was pregnant after all. She was focusing on giving birth to a kid, not her fashion choices.

But as the sound of the students on the high street below, the singing of birds and her sister’s talking all grew louder and louder. Bettie was definitely going to ask her boyfriend to give her a foot massage later.

Probably to his utter horror, but he loved her, and she him.

As much as Bettie loved her sister (that was twenty years older than her) and all the so-called wisdom of her upbringing, raising her own children. Bettie just didn’t want to put up with all the nonsense about how she had to stay at home for the next five years to make sure the kid got a good upbringing.

Bettie just didn’t want to hear it.

Her office and her Private Eye work was her amazing escape. Bettie loved helping people, solving crimes and improving lives.

Why would she give it up?

Bettie and her boyfriend Graham had already decided that neither one of them was going to leave their jobs. But they both wanted this kid to have the best childhood possible.

And Bettie was damn well going to make sure that happened.

The hints of flowers, sugar and perfume hit Bettie’s senses as her sister started to wave her arms about, kicking her perfume into the air. Bettie forced herself not to gag at the strong smell. The hints didn’t smell awful in the slightest, but as she had learnt a lot recently, her body was a lot more sensitive to smells than it use to be.

So you need to give up your hobby, and get a real job. There’s a new position opening up in my place, Phryne said.

Bettie forced herself not to swear. She might have loved her sister, just not enough to work with her.

This isn’t a hobby, Bettie said, I am a Private Eye, I investigate crimes and I am licensed by the British Private Eye Federation. That wasn’t easy!

Phryne shook her head. Seriously Sis. You have a hobby Federation. That’s sad,

Bettie’s mouth just fell open. She knew there was no winning with her sister, and she really wanted her gone. She had plenty of business to take care of, including a mountain of new background checks to perform for big companies.

You work for Knight And King, right? Bettie asked.

Of course, Phryne said. I am Senior Manager for the Law Firm after my recent change,

And you’re getting a lot of interns, new recruits and other people at the moment. Including 631 new interns starting on the 16th May, Bettie said.

Phryne’s eyes widened. How did you know that? This is most unprofessional Bettie. That is strictly-

Bettie waved her sister silent and spun her laptop around which showed that she had the contract for checking out all new recruits that the company was hiring.

Now my darling sis, Bettie said with a smile, My door is over there. Please close it when you go out, because I clearly have a lot to do in my little hobby,

Phryne didn’t look like she knew what to say, so Bettie just pointed to the door again. She was even tempted to show her sister how much money the company was paying her for each background check, but she wasn’t that evil.

Yet.

Someone knocked on the door three times.

Bettie just looked at Phryne. Someone for you?

Phryne shrugged. I thought this was another hobby person of yours,

Bettie was so tempted to throw a pencil at her sister.

The person knocked again.

Come in! Bettie shouted, and felt the little guy inside her kick a little. That warmed Bettie’s heart.

The massive wooden door to the office started banging against the frame.

What? Phryne asked, clearly as confused as Bettie about why the person wasn’t coming in.

Bettie gestured to her baby bump. Help the person in please,

Phryne nodded and opened the door. A second later a really tall young man walked in dressed in a black tracksuit, black trainers and some kind of gold necklace.

Just from looking at him Bettie instantly knew he wasn’t looking for a private eye. Those people always looked more alert and like they know roughly what they’re after.

This guy didn’t look like he had a clue. Bettie would actually be surprised if he knew how to tie up his own shoe laces.

Can I help you? Bettie asked.

The guy slowly looked at her, and looked stunned and really confused as soon as he saw the baby bump.

Are ya Bettie English? The Private Eye? he said, clearly unsure of just about everything.

I am, Bettie said.

And I’m her sister Phryne. Do you need any legal advice?

Bettie couldn’t believe her sister was trying to get customers herself in front of her. That was outrageous.

Na, the man said, my boss needs you to come with me. She... They want to see you,

Bettie subtly looked at Phryne. Thankfully her sister sat back down.

Who’s your boss? Bettie asked.

Not allowed to say, the man said.

Why not? Bettie said.

Not allowed to say, the man said.

Who are you? Phryne said.

Not allowed to say, the man said.

Normally Bettie would just turn this man away instantly, because there was something clearly weird about him. But she did want to prove to her sister how good of a private eye she was, and this weirdo might be the way to do it.

But she did need to think of the baby and Graham, Bettie was going to have to be careful.

Sorry, Bettie said. Unless I know your employer, I am not going,

The man muttered something and started to pace around.

Well, he said, my boss said to bring you no matter what,

Bettie carefully moved her hand under her desk to where she always kept a knife for such occasions.

So I think it’s okay for me to reveal who is, the man said.

Bettie let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

She is Mrs Willow Fisher, the man said.

Wow! Phryne shouted.

Bettie had no clue who this woman was, she was clearly important judging by the look on her sister’s face. She hadn’t seen Phryne this happy since her son Sean and his boyfriend had bought her tickets to some awful concert.

Bettie was more than glad she didn’t have to go.

Who is she? Bettie asked.

Oh you are so... small minded, Phryne said.

Bettie had never been called that before. She was shocked.

She’s a legendary lawyer. She actually inspired me and my career change. She was an author who wrote so many self-help books,

As much as Bettie wanted to run and hide from this problem, because in Bettie’s experience, self-help people were always over-the-top, and if they write books then they probably think of themselves as god’s gift to humanity.

Bettie didn’t need that.

But she was a private eye first and foremost, she did this job because it was extremely fun, she loved solving mysteries and helping people.

And there was a person in need who wanted Bettie’s help, and she was going to give it.

On one condition, Bettie said. She didn’t need to mention her fees yet (and her increasing them because of the strangeness of it all).

What? the man said.

Bettie looked at Phryne and smiled at how excited she was getting.

My sister comes too,

Phryne jumped up and down in happiness. Bettie just wasn’t sure if she was going to regret this case.

She had a feeling she would.

CHAPTER 2

1st April 2022

Canterbury, England

There was nothing more than Detective Graham Adams hated more than dirty disgusting criminals using young women to do their dirty work for them.

After spending the night in his cold dark little car, Graham was less than impressed with these criminals. He was still freezing this morning as the cold English morning was never going to warm up until much, much later.

And he flat out hated the coldness.

As Graham looked out down the street with large houses either side of it, he was just waiting patiently (very thin patience but still) for someone to come out a little white brick house just in front of him.

Graham would have much preferred to be spending time with his beautiful, sexy girlfriend Bettie. He wanted to hug, love and kiss her last night, and hopefully talk baby stuff because it was less than six months now.

He was just as scared as her, but the amazing thing that Graham loved about Bettie was her ability to make herself look so confident. Graham was nowhere near that skillfully.

He was so nervous about the baby, making sure he was a good dad and everything else that he had been shaking awfully at home. Whenever he saw the baby bump, he got nervous about what it meant.

As much as Graham wanted to be a dad, after his bad experience as a kid, he was terrified of getting it wrong for his own child.

The cold morning air with hints of car fumes, oranges and dry pine filled the air that left the wonderful taste of orange tarts on his tongue. As the street started to flare to life and people started to move. Graham really hoped that his criminals would get moving in a moment.

The criminals were apparently your everyday drug dealers that were using the local university students to move the drugs into clubs, universities and everywhere they wanted.

Graham couldn’t care less about the university students themselves. They were just young silly people, making a bad choice. It didn’t make them bad people, it only meant they had made a single silly choice.

What Graham really wanted to know was who was supplying the university students, and that had led him to this little house.

The sound of cars gently driving past, and people talking and joking with each other filled the air as Graham concentrated on a large white van that was slowly moving down the street.

Graham reached over for his police radio that he always kept under his seat and he called it in.

This is detective Adams. A white van is coming down and now stopping outside the target house,

Graham watched the white van park perfectly and three young men dressed in black tracksuits got out.

The radio buzzed. Detective Adams? What are you doing out? And what’s this about a target house?

Graham swore under his breath. His friends at the police station might be some of the best detectives in the country, but they were next to useless when it came to paperwork.

Graham had specifically filed everything needed to get support (and most importantly get paid) for this overnight stakeout, but oh no, they clearly had never filed it. Or even notified the police radio people.

The three young men started to unload large cardboard boxes out of the white van.

Graham picked up the radio. This is Detective Adams. I need backup and a crime scene unit at my location now,

Reason? someone on the radio asked.

I’m about to perform a drug bust under probable cause, Graham said, putting down the radio.

En route, the radio said, but please Detective wait for back up to arrive. It is five minutes out,

The young men placed the boxes outside the little house and went back into their van.

We don’t have five minutes,

Graham got out of the car and quickly walked down the street checking out the house numbers as he went to make sure he didn’t look like a cop.

He heard the white van turn on its engine.

Graham walked over to the white van and pretended to look lost and like he was looking for a particular house. Graham turned and knocked on the white van’s window.

When the young men opened their windows, Graham coughed as the extremely strong smell of weed filled the air, and Graham just gagged.

What ya want old man? the driver asked.

I was wondering if you know where number 59 is? Graham asked.

The young men frowned. Fuck off cop,

The men threw something at Graham.

Hitting his head.

Graham went down.

The van sped off.

Graham picked up the oddly shaped piece of rock they had thrown at him and smiled. The surface was completely smooth and he even thought he could see fingerprints.

A few seconds later the sound of sirens just made Graham shake his head as his friends had arrived too late, and Graham knew exactly what would be in those cardboard boxes.

Plenty of weed, cocaine and heroin just like these criminals liked.

As the two police cars parked and Graham saw the crime scene techs coming down the road to process the drugs and whatever they found, Graham felt his stomach tighten into a painful knot.

With his own kid coming and after Bettie’s wonderful nephew Sean being at a local university, Graham felt such a responsibility to stop these criminals. He had to stop them and stop these drugs flowing into the local area.

He had to protect the innocent people that were losing their lives every day to these criminals.

Graham just had to.

And the idea of him failing, absolutely terrified him.

CHAPTER 3

1st April 2022

Unknown Location, Somewhere Outside Canterbury, England

As soon as Bettie got out of the black jeep, she instantly wasn’t impressed with wherever they had bought her and her sister too.

The sound of the gravel crunching under her feet made Bettie frown as she looked at the massive old Tudor-style house in the middle of nowhere. The white walls and massive black wooden beams that were so characteristic of this type of English house was rather nice, but it was the isolation that Bettie found so strange.

She couldn’t hear a single car, lorry or even the motorway that you could always, always hear in Canterbury. Bettie had no idea where they were and considering the man who had collected them had allowed Bettie to send a single text message before taking both their phones, alarm bells were going off.

Normally Bettie drove out to a client’s house herself, told a few people where she was heading and did everything a normal, sensible person did to make sure people would know where to look in case things went wrong.

Thankfully Bettie had told Graham through that single text message that she was off to see Willow Fisher with Phryne, but besides from that if things went very wrong.

She was scared about her boyfriend’s ability to find and ultimately save her.

But as Bettie focused on the massive Tudor-style house in the middle of nowhere and even the gardens around it looking untamed, she knew she was just overreacting.

The smell of fresh air, pine and Sweet-peas were a wonderful smell to Bettie and it was like the smell provided her with the soothing and very frank contrast to the isolation, and just plain creepiness to it all.

Bettie hated places in the middle of nowhere, and now she really wasn’t sure if she should have taken the case.

Oh wow! Phryne shouted.

Bettie watched her sister stomp around the gravel pathway and she instantly knew that she was going to be a problem. Bettie was always a Private eye that meant professionalism and business before, anything else, but she was a sister first, and an expected mother too.

Bettie wasn’t sure if things went wrong, if she would be able to save everyone. She wanted to. She really, really wanted to. But she had her doubts.

The sound of wood creeping made Bettie focus on the large highly-decorated front door as it opened and out came a small elderly man wearing a tight black suit, white gloves and black shoes.

He had to be the butler.

Bettie instantly knew that all her fears were true. This Willow Fisher was clearly one of those rich, rich self-help authors who prided themselves on being the centre of attention, perfect flawless personality and just a massive pain the arse.

But Bettie had to be professional.

The Butler completely dismissed Phryne as she tried to introduce herself and Bettie stood up straight as the man smiled at her.

Miss English. It is a pleasure, an absolute pleasure, he said.

Thank you for the rather... strange invitation, Bettie said with a smile.

I can only offer my apologies my dear. Mistress Fisher is a... character. May I take your luggage?

Bettie and Phryne just looked at each other. She had no idea they needed to bring luggage.

The man in the black tracksuit got out of the car at last.

Na these two birds don’t need luggage. I didn’t tell them that bit, he said.

Mr Harman, the butler said, please use formal language in front of guests, the Mistress and most importantly me,

Yes Sir, Mr Harman said.

Bettie focused on Mr Harman, there was something about how he said Sir. She couldn’t be sure, but Bettie could have sworn he served in the military at some point.

That little fact didn’t help calm her down in the slightest. In her experience, wealthy people never just had former military people in their employment for the fun of it, there was normally a much more annoying reason.

Excuse me, Bettie said, can you please tell me why we are here?

The Butler smiled. Miss English, I am afraid I do not know myself. I was told to welcome you. Mr Harman was told to collect you. The housekeeper Mrs Lewis was told to feed you,

Bettie slowly nodded. There had to be a reason.

But Miss English, Mistress Fisher had not told us why you are here. That is for a very simple reason,

Bettie nodded harder.

It is because Mistress Fisher is a very private woman,

Bettie smiled. She had dealt with very private people before, and they were actually a lot of fun to watch. Because they were so strange, eccentric and just weird.

Bettie was excited about seeing this Willow Fisher. It was probably going to be very eye-opening for Phryne, who was now quietly talking on the phone.

As much as Bettie wanted to snatch that phone away from Phryne, she didn’t. She had a feeling she would know who was on the phone very soon, before it was taken away from them.

And why can’t we have our phones? Bettie asked.

Due to Miss English, Mistress Fisher is a very private woman, and each of you are allowed to perform one phone call or electronic communication before we take them,

We will get them back though, right? Bettie asked.

She had just renewed her phone contract for the next two years without insurance. She wasn’t going to have some idiot take her phone and lose it.

Of course Miss English. The moment you are done. You get your phone back, the Butler said.

Thank you, Bettie said.

Brilliant! Phryne shouted as she handed her phone to Mr Harman.

Then Bettie really wished she hadn’t bought her sister, as Phryne elegantly walked over to the Butler, took his hand and kissed it.

Mr Butler, Phryne said.

Bettie rolled her eyes. That really wasn’t his name, but she did have to find out.

My name is Phryne and I am a Senior manager at a local law firm, and I have just had approval from the Board of Directors to make your Mistress a very exclusive offer,

Wow!

Bettie seriously couldn’t believe her sister was trying to use her case or her so-called hobby to further herself. She always thought sisters were meant to be there for each other and support one another.

That was apparently the last thing Phryne wanted to do.

Thank you Miss Phryne. I will deliver your message to the Mistress in time. Yet I am afraid right now, your sister is far more important,

Bettie could only smile at that.

Phryne tapped the Butler on the shoulder. But I am from a real law firm. We handle some of the UK’s largest legal cases and we are world famous. What could my sister possibly offer you that I cannot?

The Butler smiled at Bettie, and Bettie was rather glad he was on her side.

Your sister is famous in the Private Eye world. I first heard of her last night in a trip to Scotland. Those Private eyes were enjoying your sister’s success, it is a shame her own family do not,

Then Bettie simply followed the Butler into the house with Mr Harman and Phryne close behind her.

But Bettie would always remember the iconic look of shock, horror and rage in her sister’s face as she learnt that Bettie was a lot more famous than her.

And Bettie loved that!

CHAPTER 4

1st April 2022

Canterbury, England

Graham stood in a long dark blue corridor outside two large silver doors as he waited for the Senior Crime Scene Tech to come out and tell him what she had found.

The immense smell of harsh cleaning chemicals that made the corridor stink of oranges, lemons and cloves left the rather interesting taste of fruit cake form on Graham’s tongue. He knew that Bettie would hate it here, and he doubted her body could cope with it.

Graham was definitely going to have to make sure he wasn’t smelling too much of the chemicals when he went home. The last thing he wanted was to make Bettie uncomfortable.

There was something always strange and even a little unnerving about waiting here. There were medical examiners, forensic specialists and tons of other people in all the different rooms that led off the corridor.

Graham had never really been too bothered about the few dead bodies he had worked on. He always hated those cases, and it always took him a long few days to get over them, but he just about managed.

That was probably one of the few advantages to Graham that he was sort of a Floating Officer. The head of Kent Police didn’t tie him down to any one department, so Graham was allowed to float between depending on where his skills, experience and crime-solving abilities were needed.

Sadly they were needed on drug cases for now. Graham still hated the department, not because of the officers in the slightest. But because of the awful drug dealers and suppliers that were ruining so many lives.

The sound of high heels tapping on the other side of the silver doors made Graham stand up straight and a few seconds later a tall rather beautiful woman walked over in a long white lab coat and smiled at him.

Graham coughed slightly as her flowery perfume hit him. It was strong but Graham supposed it had to be to compete with the harsh cleaning chemicals.

It’s been too long Detective Adams, the woman said, What department do they have you working in these days?

Graham smiled at her. Senior Forensic Specialist Zoey Quill was one of the brightest minds he knew, she certainly knew the answer already.

The drugs you’re testing and the stone? Graham asked.

Zoey nodded. Interesting things your criminals have. I have never seen such... creative things used to cut the coke and heroin,

More or less deadly than the usual? Graham asked.

You know by now Detective, it is all as deadliest or not as the users, well, use it. But I don’t recommend cutting coke with washing powder and flour,

Graham just shook his head. He always hated these sorts of conversations because he wouldn’t imagine why someone would want to breathe in some of these things.

Traceable? Graham asked.

Zoey shook her head. No. Normal everyday flour, washing powder and there are no particles in the mixture that would tell me where they were made,

Graham rolled his eyes. That would be way too easy.

If the drugs were made in a factory, I would be able to detect rust or something. But there are no particles whatsoever here,

Graham nodded. At least he knew for sure that the drugs wouldn’t be helpful, he just hoped the fingerprints and the rock would be better.

Fingerprints? Graham asked.

Zoey’s face lit up. Well you normally can’t get fingerprints off cardboard and the other materials you bought us. But I got us a new toy and-

Graham gently placed his hands on Zoey’s shoulders. You know you’re one of my favourites, but please get to the point,

Of course, Sorry,

Graham nodded and took his hands away.

It turns out we have five partial prints. I ran them through the system and got no matches. If you bring me a set of prints, I can match them for you. But the ball is in your court Detective,

Graham smiled at that. He loved that the forensic people and the police were like some weird couple, one couldn’t exist or do anything without the other.

I’ll whack the ball back over soon, I hope,

Zoey nodded and she led Graham down the hallway away from the silver doors.

The rock? Graham asked.

Ha, Zoey said. That will be helpful. Again there were fingerprints. I cannot match them for anything. But the rock itself was interesting,

Graham just rolled his eyes. He had no idea how a rock could be interesting. As far as he was concerned, rocks were just things people fell over, and in his experience, naturally made weapons to throw at officers.

Come on Graham, they are interesting, Zoey said.

Graham shrugged and gestured her to stop as he reached the door leaving the forensic section of the building. They both stopped.

This isn’t a normal type of rock. I’ve emailed you the name, but this isn’t granite, chalk or anything you would find in the local area. The rock’s from Asia,

Graham’s eyebrows rose.

How did an Asian rock attack me?

I’ll even help you out a little more. The rock had a serial number on it, and you’ll never guest to whom the rock belonged to,

Graham smiled. Where?

Your nephew’s university. Or their Geology department to be precise,

Graham gave her a half-smile.

What’s wrong? I thought you and Bettie liked using your nephew as a source,

Graham opened his mouth but closed it. That was normally the case, but after last night, there wasn’t too much normal about that.

Zoey looked around, made sure the coast was clear and stepped closer to Graham.

What’s wrong Graham?

Graham shrugged. My nephew isn’t happy with me at the moment,

Please tell me you didn’t make a homophobic joke, Zoey said.

Graham smiled as he could categorically say that didn’t happen. He realised sometimes his jokes went too far about Sean before, and he really worked hard to make their relationship better.

Graham was far, far from homophobic and he couldn’t care less about Sean being gay or his boyfriend. He loved them both.

No but last night I told Bettie, Sean and her sister about a cop I worked with who searched a gay kid recently,

Zoey covered her mouth with her hands. I heard of this incident. Did that other cop explicitly target that kid because he looked gay and gave him a very public and humiliating drug search?

Graham could only nod and Zoey just looked at him. She had heard the story already, Graham could have stopped it. He was technically more senior than that officer so he could have stopped it all.

But Graham didn’t. He allowed that poor kid to be strip-searched in front of all his school friends and other students, people took photos and everything. And Graham just let it happen, he didn’t know what he was scared of. Yet he was still scared and he didn’t stop another officer from abusing his power.

Graham knew it was probably because the police would have punished him, or told him off going against the so-called Policing Family.

But Sean was furious with Graham.

And Graham couldn’t blame him.

Call him. Make things right, Zoey said.

Thank you, Graham said as Zoey went into another room and Graham left the forensic section.

He knew he had to fix fences and prove to Sean that him and other officers didn’t hate his kind, but Graham had to solve a crime too.

He just wasn’t sure which was more important.

And that pained him.

CHAPTER 5

1st April 2022

Unknown Location, Somewhere On The Outskirts of Canterbury, England

As soon as Bettie went into the Tudor-style house, she saw a rather wonderful living area with a wide range of expensive art hanging off the ancient walls, a large wooden staircase in the centre and any number of doors leading off into different parts of the house.

The entire place smelt old, musty and covered in varnish. It was almost enough to make Bettie gag but luckily she could tell just from the smell that the vanish wouldn’t hurt the baby.

That was her only priority.

The Butler stopped in front of the staircase and gave Bettie and her sister an overdramatic gesture to show off the impressiveness of the house, and then Mr Harman offered to take their coats.

They weren’t wearing any.

But Bettie was curious about the house. From everything Phryne had told her in the car about how amazing Willow Fisher was, Bettie would have expected more.

More colour, more smells and more self-help crap lying around the house. But there was nothing.

If Bettie had broken into the house, she would have imagined a little old lady lived here. Not some so-called self-help millionaire. There had to be something else going on, after all, in Bettie’s experience people who had money always showed it off.

And Bettie had no reason to believe this Willow person would be any different.

Then the sound of monks singing echoed around the entire house, and Bettie just frowned as she noticed the speakers in the corners of the room. She expected this sort of chanting or music from monks in Buddhist temples (great people) but not in a house.

Then one of the doors opened and a large woman came her wearing a black apron and a wooden spoon that was dripping some food on the wood. She had a face like thunder, and Bettie had a feeling they were going to get shouted at for just turning up.

These two the brats the Mistress wanted? the woman half-asked, half-shouted.

Mrs Lewis, this is Bettie English and her Sister Phryne,

Phryne was about to walk forward and do something silly, but Bettie held out her arm and stopped her dead.

Bettie watched as Mrs Lewis huffed and muttered and puffed before she left through the doorway. But not before the delicious smells of bacon, roast hog and other amazing meats filled the air.

Bettie leant on her sister as she gagged and coughed. Ever since falling pregnant Bettie couldn’t stand the smell or sight of meat or anything from an animal, so she already knew this was going to be a difficult case.

Phryne rubbed her back gently.

Is everything okay Miss English?

Yes, thank you. It’s just the baby, Bettie said.

Mr Jones! a woman shouted from upstairs.

The butler smiled and gave Bettie and Phryne a little bow.

Please excuse me ladies. Please wait here and I’ll collect you in a moment,

Bettie nodded and frowned as she watched him elegantly walk up the stairs. There was something off about all of this, she wasn’t some weak-willed person to be ordered about. She wanted to be here for a reason.

And she felt like she was about to get it.

Yet what was bothering Bettie was how everything seemed perfect for such a place. There wasn’t a depressed mood, broken windows or anything that would suggest to Bettie that a crime had been committed.

Bettie wouldn’t be surprised if this self-help person just made it all up.

Isn’t this amazing! Phryne shouted.

Considering is just my hobby apparently. This is a rather normal day, Bettie said.

I am sorry about that,

No you aren’t, Bettie said.

True. But your hobby does have some cool advantages,

Bettie just wanted to kick her sister out, but she knew if anything went wrong then Phryne was her only hope. No matter had much that option terrified her.

This is Miss English, Mistress, Mr Jones said.

Bettie looked up and smiled as she saw Mr Jones and a woman come down the stairs.

Bettie wasn’t sure what to make of the new woman. She was clearly the one in charge with her smooth face, grey hair and expensive dress, but there was such an aura of despair around her.

Normally Bettie never believed in such things, but it was like with each step the woman took, the sadder the room got.

The woman stopped on the final step so she was taller than Bettie and she smiled.

Miss English, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am-

Oh my god! Phryne shouted. You’re Willow Fisher!

Bettie just covered her face in her hands. This wasn’t going to go down well.

Miss English! Willow shouted. I requested you to come. Not some... some woman!

Bettie nodded. Mistress Fisher, this is my sister Phryne. She’s... a big fan,

Seriously? Miss English this is an important matter. I do not need such distractions. I am a very private woman after all. I trust your discretion. I do not others,

Bettie was rather liking this case so far. It seemed like everyone loved her, and hated her sister. She could get use to that.

My apologies Mistress, Bettie said. What is this all about?

Willow frowned at Phryne and gestured Bettie to come close. Bettie did and she saw Mr Harman stop Phryne from following them.

I need your help Miss English,

Bettie nodded. Of course, anything,

I’m being blackmailed, Willow said, passing Bettie a note.

She read the note and Bettie was shocked that the blackmailer was asking for ten million pounds by tonight. That was an extreme amount of money.

As much as Bettie wanted to help the woman, she had a firm rule about extreme amounts of money. Stay out of it. The criminals that charged these sorts of rates were normally dangerous and deadly, so Bettie really wasn’t going to get involved with a new baby on the way.

I’m sorry, Bettie said, but ten million is a lot of cash. This is a serious blackmailer. I think the police would be better suited here,

Everyone gasped.

Willow frowned as her. Fine then Miss English. I will give you a percent of the blackmail money,

Bettie